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MDP Hydraulics


Features & Specifications |
1Stroke lengths to 4100mm(161 inches),Customizable |
Hydraulic pressure to 31.5 Mpa( 4568 psi), Customized up to 63Mpa (9137psi) |
Temperature to -20℃ to 80℃(-4'Fto 176°F),Customized up to 230℃(446°F) |
Standard Carbon, Alloy & Stainless material options available based on application |
Single & Double Acting configurations |
Plating/treatment options available based on application |
Seal options available based on fluid/pressure/temperature |
Special Options |
Chrome bore available Adjustable cushions |
Air bleeds Special materials & plating |
Integrated valve technology Linear displacement transducers |
Proximity switches Pressure boosters |
Intensifier designs |
The hydraulic piston double-acting cylinder is the core power execution component of the working device (arm, boom, bucket) of a backhoe excavator. It converts the high-pressure oil energy from the hydraulic system into precise and powerful linear reciprocating mechanical motion, directly driving a series of complex actions such as excavation, lifting, rotation and unloading of the excavator. Unlike single-acting cylinders, the double-acting cylinder is driven by hydraulic power in both the extension (push) and retraction (pull) directions of the piston, thus achieving precise and bidirectional control of the movement speed and position of the working device, and is a key component for ensuring the efficient, smooth and reliable operation of the excavator.
The internal structure of the double-acting oil cylinder is divided into two sealed chambers by the piston: the rodless chamber (the side where the piston rod is not extended) and the rod chamber (the side where the piston rod is located). Its working principle is as follows:
• Extension process (thrust): When high-pressure oil flows through the A oil port into the rodless chamber, and the oil in the rod chamber flows back to the oil tank through the B oil port, the liquid pressure acting on the large area of the piston pushes the piston rod to extend outward, generating a huge thrust, which is used to achieve actions such as excavation and lifting.
• Retraction process (pulling force): When the high-pressure oil passes through the B oil port into the piston rod chamber, and the oil in the non-piston rod chamber flows back to the oil tank through the A oil port, the liquid pressure acting on the annular area of the piston pulls the piston rod inward, generating a pulling force, which is used to achieve reset, re-capture of the bucket, and other actions.
By controlling the oil circuit switching through an external multi-way directional valve, the extension and retraction movement, speed and output of the oil cylinder can be precisely controlled.
To withstand the extremely harsh working conditions of the backhoe excavator (high impact, heavy load, muddy water environment), this cylinder is designed and manufactured with high-quality materials.
• Cylinder barrel: It is precisely forged from high-strength alloy steel (such as 27SiMn) and undergoes quenching and tempering treatment. The inner hole is processed by honing or rolling, achieving extremely high dimensional accuracy, geometric accuracy and surface finish (Ra ≤ 0.4 μm), ensuring smooth piston movement, low friction and long service life.
• Piston and Piston Rod: The piston is made of wear-resistant cast iron or steel and is equipped with high-performance combined sealing rings. The piston rod is made of medium carbon alloy steel (such as 42CrMo), and after quenching and tempering treatment, it undergoes hard chrome plating treatment (plating thickness ≥ 0.05mm), which has extremely high hardness (HV ≥ 750), excellent wear resistance and outstanding corrosion resistance.
• Sealing System: Utilizes specialized sealing components from internationally renowned brands (such as Parker, Hallite). These include piston seals (to prevent internal leakage), piston rod seals (to prevent external leakage), guide belts (to support the piston rod and prevent wear), and dust rings (to prevent dust and sand from entering). All sealing materials are capable of operating within a working temperature range of -30°C to +100°C and can withstand various hydraulic oil media.
• Guide sleeve and buffer device: A built-in wear-resistant bronze guide sleeve provides stable support for the piston rod. At the end of the stroke, an adjustable buffer structure is designed, which reduces the piston speed smoothly through the throttling principle, effectively eliminating terminal impact and protecting the cylinder and the mainframe structure.
• Installation accessories: Multiple installation forms are provided, such as ear-ring type (with joint bearings), flange type, and ear shaft type, to meet the different installation requirements of different hinge points on the arm, boom, and bucket of the backhoe excavator.
Product Features and Advantages
• Outstanding strength and durability: The key pressure-bearing components are made of high-strength materials and undergo strict heat treatment processes. The design has a high safety factor, capable of withstanding the intense impact loads and continuous alternating stresses encountered during excavation operations, and have a long service life.
• Extremely high operational accuracy and controllability: The double-acting hydraulic drive ensures rapid response and precise positioning for the extension and retraction actions. Combined with the pilot hydraulic control system, it enables precise micro-operation of the excavator, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and quality.
• Excellent sealing and leak prevention performance: A multi-layer and multi-material composite sealing solution ensures long-term reliable sealing under a system working pressure of up to 35 MPa, with minimal leakage, reducing hydraulic oil loss and maintenance costs.
• Strong environmental adaptability: The surface treatment and sealing materials can effectively resist the invasion of rainwater, sand, and corrosive media during outdoor operations. The special chrome plating process of the piston rod and dust-proof design are particularly suitable for continuous operation in harsh industrial and mining environments.
• Ensuring ease of maintenance: The modular design enables on-site replacement of key vulnerable components (such as sealing elements and guide sleeves), significantly reducing equipment downtime. The oil ports feature standard interfaces for easy connection.
On an excavator with a bucket arm, three sets of double-acting hydraulic cylinders are usually equipped, each controlling one of the three main joints:
1. The arm cylinder: Connected between the turntable and the arm. When extended, it lifts the arm and the entire working device at the front end; when retracted, it lowers the arm. It is the main mechanism for controlling the digging depth and unloading height.
2. The bucket arm cylinder: Connected between the arm and the bucket arm. When extended, it pushes the bucket arm and the bucket towards the body for excavation (bucket arm excavation); when retracted, it pushes the bucket arm and the bucket out.
3. The bucket cylinder: Connected to the bucket through a six-link mechanism. When extended, it rotates the bucket inward for "picking up" or "retracting"; when retracted, it rotates the bucket outward for "discharging" or "opening".
These three sets of cylinders work in coordination under the control of the hydraulic system, enabling complex spatial trajectory movements and achieving efficient earthwork operations.
When choosing or replacing the hydraulic cylinders for your backhoe excavator, please ensure the following key parameters:
1. Main unit model and interface size: Provide the brand and model of the excavator (such as Komatsu PC200-8, Caterpillar 320D), so as to match the original installation size, hinge hole spacing and oil port specifications.
2. Performance parameters: Confirm the cylinder diameter, rod diameter and stroke of the original hydraulic cylinder. The required thrust/tractive force must be determined based on the mechanical calculation of the working device of the excavator and must meet the digging force requirements of the bucket and boom specified by the host.
3. System pressure: Confirm the rated working pressure and peak maximum pressure of the excavator's hydraulic system. The rated pressure of the selected cylinder must be higher than the system's maximum pressure and leave a safety margin.
4. Working environment: If there are special requirements for operation in extremely cold, hot, coastal or corrosive environments, please explain in advance so that suitable sealing materials and surface treatment processes that can withstand low temperatures or corrosion can be selected.
• Installation: Before installation, ensure that all hinge pin holes are clean and undamaged. Use the appropriate tools to install the hydraulic cylinder in place and tighten the connecting bolts according to the specified torque. Before connecting the oil pipe, ensure that the oil ports are clean to prevent contaminants from entering the system.
• Usage: Avoid applying lateral forces or radial impacts to the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder. Do not overload the cylinder beyond its rated pressure. During operation, carefully observe for any abnormal noises, vibrations or leaks.
• Maintenance:
Daily inspection: Check whether there are any scratches on the surface of the piston rod, whether the coating has peeled off, and whether there is any oil leakage at each connection point.
Regular maintenance: Follow the maintenance manual for the main unit to replace the hydraulic oil and filter elements regularly to keep the oil clean (it is recommended to reach NAS 9 grade or ISO 18/16/13 cleanliness standards). When storing for a long time, fully retract the cylinder and apply rust protection to the exposed parts of the piston rod.
Fault handling: Common faults include slow operation, lack of power (possible internal leakage), external leakage, crawling (possible intake or contamination) etc. When a fault occurs, it should be diagnosed and repaired by professionals, with a focus on inspecting the seals and guiding components.
A1: A "Double Acting" cylinder means that hydraulic pressure can be applied to both sides of the piston to actively control both the extension (push) and retraction (pull) strokes. In a backhoe excavator, this precise, two-way powered control is fundamental. It allows the operator to accurately and powerfully command the boom, arm, and bucket for digging, lifting, repositioning, and dumping. A single-acting cylinder (which relies on gravity or a spring to retract) would be impossible for the complex, forceful, and controlled movements required in excavation.
A2: Cylinder sizing is critical and is determined by the machine's original design to achieve its rated digging forces. Key parameters are:
Bore (Cylinder Diameter): Primarily determines the pushing force. A larger bore generates greater force. It must be matched to the excavator's hydraulic system pressure to achieve the designed breakout force and lifting capacity.
Rod Diameter: Affects the pulling force and the rod's resistance to buckling under heavy compressive loads. A thicker rod provides higher retraction force and better stability, especially for long-stroke cylinders like the boom cylinder.
Rule of Thumb: Always refer to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specifications for your exact excavator model (e.g., CAT 320, Komatsu PC200). Using a cylinder with incorrect dimensions can lead to poor performance, structural stress, or safety hazards.
A3: Cushioning is a built-in deceleration feature at the ends of the cylinder stroke. As the piston approaches the end of its travel, a tapered rod or a special sleeve enters the port, gradually restricting oil flow. This smoothly slows down the piston and the attached excavator linkage (boom, arm, bucket) just before it reaches its mechanical stop. This is crucial for excavators to:
Eliminate damaging shock loads to the cylinder, pins, and machine structure.
Reduce noise and vibration.
Improve control and operator comfort during repetitive cycling.
A4: A leak at the rod seal (where the rod exits the cylinder) is a common failure and should be addressed promptly. It indicates that the primary rod seal is worn or damaged.
Why it's urgent: Beyond the environmental and economic cost of losing hydraulic oil, this leak allows contaminants (dust, grit, water) to be drawn into the cylinder as it retracts. This abrasive contamination rapidly wears out the internal bore, piston, and seals, leading to a much more expensive rebuild or complete cylinder replacement.
Action: The cylinder needs to be removed, disassembled, and undergo a seal kit replacement. All seals (rod seal, wiper, piston seals, guide rings) should be replaced, and the rod should be inspected for scratches that could damage new seals.
A5: Drift is typically caused by internal leakage past the seals, allowing oil to bypass from the high-pressure side of the piston to the low-pressure side.
Worn Piston Seals: The most common cause. Wear allows oil to leak from the pressurized side of the piston (e.g., the side holding the boom up) to the opposite side.
Worn or Damaged Cylinder Barrel (Bore): Scoring or pitting in the cylinder's inner wall prevents seals from making proper contact.
Faulty Control Valve: Sometimes, the issue is not the cylinder but internal leakage within the control valve on the excavator's main hydraulic manifold. A diagnostic test (pressure-holding test) can help isolate the problem to the cylinder or the valve.
A6: The piston rod is typically made of high-strength alloy steel and is plated with a thick, hard layer of chromium.
Function: This plating provides an extremely hard, smooth, and corrosion-resistant surface.
Importance for Excavators: It protects the rod from abrasion caused by grit and debris in harsh environments, resists rust from rain and mud, and ensures a perfect surface for the rod seal to work against, minimizing wear and leakage. A damaged chrome surface will quickly destroy new rod seals.
A7: While a seal replacement seems straightforward, rebuilding an excavator cylinder is a job for a specialized hydraulic shop for several reasons:
Specialized Tools: Requires powerful presses, custom wrenches, and clean room conditions.
Critical Inspection: Professionals can accurately measure the rod and bore for wear, out-of-roundness, and scoring—issues a DIYer might miss.
Precision and Cleanliness: Absolute cleanliness is vital. Any contamination introduced during assembly will cause immediate failure. Proper preload on gland nuts and correct seal installation are critical.
Pressure Testing: A professional shop will test the rebuilt cylinder at high pressure to ensure it holds and functions safely before reinstallation.
Maintain Clean Hydraulic Fluid: Change oil and filters regularly per the OEM schedule. Contaminated oil is the #1 cause of seal and component wear.
Keep the Rod Clean and Protected: Use the bucket to cover cylinders when possible during transport. Routinely clean mud and debris from the exposed rod.
Avoid Side-Loading and Abuse: Do not use the cylinder to push or pry objects sideways, which can bend the rod or barrel.
Inspect Regularly: Look for leaks, bent rods, or damaged chrome plating during daily walk-around checks.